Niseko Hirafu, Japan - Hokkaido

Visitor reviews for Niseko Hirafu

• August 21, 2008
  Cam from AUSTRALIA
  

  This thread is great. Been tossing up between a couple of different Japanese resorts and reading this has been a big help. Listening to all the bad reviews about Australian's is a bit disheartening though(the fact that they're all true makes it worse). Sounds like Niseko is becoming the Bali of Japan.

• July 07, 2008
  Localbear from JAPAN
  

  Guys, what's wrong about having many Aussies visit Hokkaido?
  Yes, there are some guys who don't behave, who drinks like hell and yell. But most of them are very very nice, and we locals (I'm actually from Sapporo but work in Niseko every winter.) are very proud and happy to have all people from around the country and around the world to the place we love. A-h@le rates are the same regardless of where you are from so ignore them. You'll find bunch of A-h@le Japanese here as well. It's all the same mate! Just come and enjoy yourself. I'll be in Niseko from November to April. See you there!!

• March 17, 2008
  Steve from AUSTRALIA
  

  Just got back from my first visit to Niseko. The snow quality lives up to its reputation. Found the food to be awesome. Eat in the Japanese izakayas for cheap and real local food plus good beer and sake.
  As for all the Aussie bashing comments, yes, there are are few that give us a bad name. But if you hang out in the western style bars who do you imagine you'll meet? If you want to go all that way and eat pizza and drink bourbon every night you'll find people who don't care about sampling a new culture. Us respectful Aussies are in the more traditional boozers trying to meet the locals. I ate raw horse meat and cod cum with a couple from Tokyo. Get amongst it.

• March 11, 2008
  Rob from AUSTRALIA
  

  Well, I just got back from 2 weeks in Niseko + Sapporo. I simply couldn't speak highly enough of the place. The snow was amazing. Niseko was awesome, especially if you venture off through gates and explore around An'Nupuri(sp) + the parks in Banazono (sp) are great too.
  Also, make sure you spend some time in Sapporo, it's awesome. Can't wait to get back there.
  Arigatou gozaimashita!

• February 23, 2008
  metrics from AUSTRALIA
  

  I would consider Niseko to have the best conditions in Hokkaido... just spent 3 weeks missioning around Hokkaido to find other places and basically found a lot of flattish resorts, often with only one or two lifts.

  Stay in Hirafu, don't bother with anywhere else, not worth the effort.

  Remember, this is the Hirafu review so please keep reviews/references to other places on those threads

• February 04, 2008
  cashey from FIJI
  

  Bula! Third trip to Niseko coming up and, god, I'm like a 5 year old waiting for Santa! It's a magnificent place and we need to respect and look after the locals. There a couple of cranky old Japanise around but, hey, the drunken Aussie's take away the shine sometimes (I'm one!). However, we have found most are great. Bring on the Crabhouse!!!!

• January 17, 2008
  Rob from AUSTRALIA
  

  Same here Lefty, counting down till 28 Feb for my first trip over to Niseko & Japan. I also hope many of the things I've read on here are untrue or avoided.
  Simply can't wait for some great people, surroundings and POW...oh, so much POW.

• January 16, 2008
  Lefty from AUSTRALIA
  

  3 weeks and counting till my first trip to the powdered land. Hope after reading some of these reviews that the wingers aren't around.
  First lesson when traveling to another country is show some respect to the locals, other than that bring on the powder.
  Looking forward to drinking, boarding & enjoying myself, peace & see you all there..

• January 11, 2008
  Go Native from JAPAN
  

  Niseko is becoming a major international powder destination and sure, currently Aussies are making up a large portion of foreign tourists but Hong Kong and other parts of SE Asia are starting to catch up. And visitors from the UK, Scandinavia and North America are really starting to catch on that this is the place to come for some of the most consistent falls of powder in the world.
  The place is certainly being transformed from a sleepy little Japanese resort (that was barely staying afloat) to a more upmarket and westernized destination. I've been living here for over 3 years and seen great changes. Is it bad? Sure if you are a poor ski bum who wants a whole mountain to themselves and cheap long term accomm. If you are an upper middle class family wanting luxury, western accommodation and an easygoing holiday in country where you can't read or speak the language then Niseko is the place to go.
  Plans of major development at Hanazono and even at Moiwa should take a little pressure off Hirafu in the future.

• January 05, 2008
  GrooveMeister from HONG KONG
  

  Time was when Niseko used to be a great place. Wait, wait, the snow is always great and just mountains of it. But, the Auzzies are ruining the place. Menu's with prices quoted in Australian dollars (they can't do the conversions), T-shirts of the Japanese Homeland filled in with the Australian Flag.
  'mate, mate, mate, mate, mate'....
  All it's gonna take is one drunk driver (lots of new places come with a car to use) hurting a local crossing the street, and the welcome mat will be pulled from everyone's feet..
  mate mate mate mate mate mate maaaaiiiite...........
  help us all.....!!

• December 30, 2007
  snowcat from AUSTRALIA
  

  I just came back from my 3rd Niseko holiday, the snow was not as good as the previous two seasons, but still definately nothing to complain about. Yes, Niseko has changed and yes there are alot of Australians, but thats just part of the package. There are still lots of local lodges available where I have had the best experiences with Japanese hospitality. Stay away from the big boys and it's a totally different side. experienceniseko.com supports the local Japanese owned and operated businesses. Definately recommend it to anyone interested in the cultural aspect of Japan.

• December 02, 2006
  Mogul queen from UNITED STATES
  

  It is truly an awesome experience in Niseko! One of the American universities has done a research of the global temprature of the resorts across the board and Hokkaido came in 1st. The consistency of -10degrees celcius is highest in Hokkaido so the days you get powder is more than anywhere else. I love getting up early in the morning to explore the back of 'strawberry fields' in fresh powder up to your waist. Truly awesome! For apres skiing, you can hang out in the cute little 'Izakaya' places. You don't have to be phased to step in there, because Japanese people are extremely friendly & polite. Made so many good local friends even with the language barrier. You've just gotta jump into it! You can ski across Niseko Hirafu, Niseko Hanazono and Niseko Higashiyama areas. Japanese people usually stay on the groomed runs, but you can go ahead and explore around the off piste which is literally untouched!

• November 22, 2006
  rom from AUSTRALIA
  

  Pay no attention to the windgers in regards to Australians in Hirafu, there arn't many there, those Aussies that I have met were well behaved, and the locals couldn't have been more curtious to their visitors. As for the snow, its everywhere, and lots of it, a good meal $10.00, lifts outside your hotel, no lift queues, and the beers' no to bad. If you are used to New Zealand conditions or what's on offer in Oz, then you are in for a pleasant surprise, good skiing, day and night.

• October 19, 2006
  mooncat from JAPAN
  

  Actually there are far better places well away from　Hirafu with the best powder in the world. However that will have to remain secret so we don`t get overrun by those dessert island delinquents.
  Hirafu way overrated due to the influx of the Australians, shame really used to be quite a nice resort. Or maybe have to try and figure out when the time of year is they are least likely to flock. And the powder here is quite wet compared to the better places in Hokkaido. Want good powder then go elsewhere.

• October 08, 2006
  Stimpy from JAMAICA
  

  I gotta agree with lots on here, too many Aussies, but what can you do? As one person suggested stay away from anyone you don't want to hang with and go discover what Niseko is really about. Don't book through one of the big operators, otherwise you are guaranteed to be shacking up next to Aussies, instead get online and research. I found www.thenisekocompany.com and booked through them - which I will be doing again this season. Awesome property and service. The place wasn't ski in/out but was a minute from shuttle and was quiet at night-no Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Idiots. Very comfy , spacious and well equipped.

• February 14, 2006
  Donald Oates from AUSTRALIA
  

  Once again all the winging, whining, complaining and crying has come from you sour puss pom's, you try to conquer any area which sh*ts on the UK (which is pretty much everywhere) without ever receiving even the slightest of criticism.
  your comment's are boring and so are you! How bout having some fun on holidays?

• February 14, 2006
  Paul from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  Niseko is truly awesome and if you want certain snow then get in there , no more rain in Whistler for me thanks as I'll take Niseko and no jet-lag to boot.
  The only genuine problem that I can think of is the Australians, there are just too many of them and a lot of trailer trash, I heard several conversations mentioning Holdens and Fords in the same sentence and that really sums it up. To be honest they spoil the whole environment but the consistently epic snow conditions makes up for it.

• February 03, 2006
  Helen from NEW ZEALAND
  

  Just returned from Hirafu (first time visit). It was a marvellous cultural experience & the snow was fantastic & not too expensive to stay there. I do have to say though, that our family saw much arrogance & rudeness from our friendly cousins across the ditch. We also met some very nice Australians, so you take the good with the bad whenever & wherever you travel.Do your own thing & keep away from badly behaved people. Even the ski guide chose us over Aussies! Hello. We will certainly return next year before the place gets overun by kiwi's!

• February 01, 2006
  zoop from JAPAN
  

  Hirafu's so hyped up at the moment, its the "place to be" but the other fields around the corner are better, less people and more powder.

• January 23, 2006
  Tom from AUSTRALIA
  

  This is my 2nd time to Niseko & yes its loosing its quaint Japaneseness about it. But you can't beat it for consistent Deep Powder and great untracked off piste skiing. Still with all the westerners here we are finding untracked all day so we will be coming back as long as the untracked secret spots are secret. If you dont like Ozzies don't come. See you in the steep & deep.
  

• January 15, 2006
  riki from AUSTRALIA
  

  Leaving in 5 days for Niseko, cant wait (already there mentally). Also looking forward to meeting other OZ boarders there. So glad Dr shread wont be there, maybe he can find a nice deep crevasse in Antartica to chill out in probably wont like his own company though. See you there guys, leave a few freshies for us.
  Riki

• January 05, 2006
  Cloudnine from AUSTRALIA
  

  Haven't been yet but getting very excited. Must be from north shore, to bag westies so much. Perhaps you could move on to some of the avalanche areas in Europe for some adventure. Leave the rest to those who enjoy good snow, companions and other cultures.

• January 04, 2006
  Wile E Coyote from AUSTRALIA
  

  Yep there are a fair few Aussies in the Hirafu area however not all are there to denigrate the area and many if you take the time to ask are highly experienced long time ski industry workers who love the powder skiing there without the (higher)risk associated with off piste skiing in Euro resorts.
  Back-country education is being promoted by several of the companies and Avalanche committee members welcome openly the influx of foreigners as they understand their own businesses and the lifts used to access the off piste do not run on some magical cold air device. As for adventure, really since the advent of the commercial airliner and heated coaches, can we really say skiing in a foreign country counts? Culturally yes; physically perhaps just a privilege

• December 19, 2005
  spider from AUSTRALIA
  

  Too many Aussies eh? Been coming for 4 years and love to see the Aussies, what do you want a mountain full of Seppos [Yanks - Editor] ? Hardly the yobbo types frequent Niseko. Spend the rest of your life running from progress while we enjoy more conveniences and so much snow on the four mountains or others nearby.

• December 16, 2005
  Dr Shred from ANTARCTICA
  

  Powder can be awesome, some of the best boarding in the world without question. Problem is it's becoming an outpost of the western suburbs of Sydney. Aussies who travel to the lesser known parts of the globe will have seen it happen elsewhere and are already moving on. It won't be long until the Fisherman's Hut is filled with Ugg boot wearing westies, but by that time most of the adventurers will have moved on. If I want to see yobbos from Paramatta I'll go to Blue Cow...

• November 28, 2005
  Tinkus from AUSTRALIA
  

  Zoop - you are so right; I'm not going again after the last to year the place has lost the culture, too many aussies there. The snow is the best but you have heaps of other resorts in Japan to chose with no aussies there. By the way, yes I am Australian, but like going to places where you see more locals then you own people. regards tinkus

• November 20, 2005
  derek foster from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  Great snow, the best powder anywhere. No-one on the slopes and very friendly pepole. Be prepared for the cold though.Stay at the Freedom Inn, great hospitality and food.

• September 27, 2005
  zoop from BAHAMAS
  

  you thought the trees were dangerous! try avoiding all the australians!